Chest-protector.



E. c. R. SCHMIDT.

CHEST PROTECTOR.

APPLIUATION FILED Mum, 1911.

Patented Feb. 6, 17912. 4

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UNITED sTATEs VPATENT oEEIoE. l

EMIL C. R. SCHMIDT, 0F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

CHEST-PROTECTOR.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL C. R. SCHMIDT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chest- Protectors; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact description of the invention, such as will enable others-skilled in the art to which it ap pertains to make anduse the same. l

My invention relates to the constructio of that class of chest protectors which are worn next to the person, or intermediate of the underwear, and which have for their purpose the protection of the chest andbase of the neck, and that portion of the person of the wearer, which, by reason of the cut of the outer garments now commonly worn, is left exposed or illy guarded against Wind and changes of temperature.

As is well recognized by all thoughtful persons the V-shaped exposure at the upper part of the chest resulting from the common form of outer garments leaves the organs there located, and also those at the base of the neck, inadequately clothed to resist high wind and material changes of'temperature, and leads to loss of vital heat which results in chronic bronchial and catarrhal affections, if not to more serious acute ailments. To counteract these conditions various forms of chest protectors and muiiiers have been devised, but of the chest protectors heretofore designed for wear intermediate of the undergarments, their construction and bulk have rendered them undesirable, while in the case of mufliers designed for outer wear, they have met wit-h scant favor by reason of their concealment of the dress or costume and their more or less unsightly appearance.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a simple and efficient chest protector which may be worn intermediate of the undergarments and will be concealed thereby, without materially increasing the bulk of the person and without marring the effect of the costume worn, and which will at the same time retain the vital heat of the person and adequately protect the upper portion of the chest and base of the neck of the wearer against changes of temperature, cold winds, &c.

To this end the main feature of my invention is embraced in a chest protector comprised of a plurality of plies or fabrics, of

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led March 9, 1911.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912. Serial No. 613,250.

apron provided at its upper or neck end,

with a narrow band adapted to lie concealed under the collar of the wearer,A thus protecting the base of the neck and preventing the dissemination of the natural heat of the body at a point below the base of the neck.

A further feature of my invention embraces the combination with the upper or neck end of the protector apron of a detachable and adjustable curved strap for securing a close fit and ready adjustment of the apron to meet the proportions of different persons.

There are other, minor, features of invention, all as will hereinafter more fully appear.

In the drawing chosen for the purpose of illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is pointed out in the claims, Figure l is a plan view of a chest protector embodying my invent-ion, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal ceni Like symbols refer to like parts wherever i they occur.

In the drawings, A indicates the apron of the chest protector, B a neck-band therefor, and C a strap for securing the protector in proper position on the person of the wearer.

The apron A is comprised of a plurality of plies 1, 2, 3 of different fabrics, the foundation ply l, or that nearest the person of the wearer, being preferably the largest, while the superposed plies 2 and 3 are somewhat smaller, and are stitched securely to the ply l, as at 4. The foundation ply 1 is preferably formed of a firm, close-woven twilled, light-weight iiannel, which will insure warmth without undue bulk or excessive weight, and said ply l may be neatly bound at its edges, as at la, with a suitable narrow braid of silk, or its equivalent. The outer or upper ply 3, may, if desired, be also of flannel of like character with that used for ply 1, or it may be of select white or light straw colored chamois, and in the latter case is preferably perforated at intervals, as at 3a, to permit of the escape of perspiration, and thus prevent the absorption of any moisture by ply 3, which moisture might be communicated tothe next outer f garment. The intermediate ply 2 of the vsemi'circular notch a for the reception of the shirt and protects the base of the neck of the person wearing the chest protector, as' well as'serves to confine the heat of the body.

apron A is depended on to maintain this stability and form of the apron A and insure its close and smooth application'to the person of the wearer, and for this reason is preferably formed of a firm, though flexible,

material such as a close-woven linen or cotton fabric; At its upper end the multiple ply apron A is cut out or provided with a neck of the wearer and the attachment of a narrow neck band B which terminates at the ends of the neck-notch a, and which extends up a short distance within the collar of the The narrow curved band' B is usually twoply, viz., an inner fabric 5 preferably linen, to preserve the stability and form of the band, and an outer fabric'6 which may, for

the sake of appearances, be of the ysame character as the uppery ply 3 ofthe apron A. As incase of ply l of the apron, so also this band B is preferably'bound as at lb with silk or similar narrow braid.

The semicircular neck notch a in the upper end of apron A is made of sufficient depth to permit of the portions a2 a2 ofthe portion a2 of apron A and to permit'of adjustment vto meet the requirements of different persons. This strap C may be of any suitable material, but preferably, for sake ofv flexibility and stability,`is made of linen bound 'at the edges with silk or similar braid Aas at 1. At the left upper end a2 of the apron this strap G i's detachably conbodily heat of the person is so retained, thus enabling the wearer to resist bronchial and catarrhal attacks. It is also to be noted, that by reason of the deep curve of the neck notch a and the slight curve of the adjustable strap C, a couple of standard sizes of aprons and straps may be readily adjusted to it comfortably the majority of wearers without regard to their different proportions.

` Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A chest protector of the character described, comprised of a multiple ply apron having a deep neck notch, and a narrow neck band of less thickness than the apron which neck-band is secured to the apron at the neck notch and terminates at the ends of the neck-notch.

2. A chest protector of the character described comprised of a multiple ply apron having a deep neck-notch, a narrow neckband of less thickness than the apron, said neck band secured to the apron at the necknotch, and terminatingat the ends of the neck-notch, and a curved neck strap adjustably secured to the apron at one side of the neck notch and det-achably connected thereith at the other side of the neck-notch. In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMIL C. R. SCHMIDT.

Witnesses:

M. F. LIVINGSTON, FRED STANDINZ.

u G opes of this patent may be obtainedwfor ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

y Washingtom D. C. 

